Sabres News

SABRES TO NOT RENEW CONTRACT OF ASSOCIATE COACH BRIAN McCUTCHEON

by
Staff Writer
/ Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that the organization will not renew the contract of Associate Coach Brian McCutcheon.

“We have decided not to renew Brian’s contract for the upcoming season,” Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier said. “This was a tough decision that we have both decided was the best one to make for the organization. We have not closed the doors on a different opportunity within the organization for Brian in the future. I want to thank and commend Brian on the work he has done over the past 11 years with Buffalo and previous three in Rochester.”

After three successful seasons as Head Coach of the Sabres minor league affiliate Rochester Americans, McCutcheon spent the past 11 seasons with the Sabres, including five as the team’s Associate Coach. Since joining Lindy Ruff’s coaching staff in 2000, McCutcheon has helped the team to capture two Eastern Conference Final appearances and a President’s Trophy in 2006-07.

“This was a difficult decision for me to make,” Sabres Head Coach Lindy Ruff added. “After meeting with Brian, I felt that we needed to go in a different direction with my staff moving forward. It has been a pleasure to have Brian as part of my team over the past 11 years. I want to thank Brian personally for his input and dedication to the development of our players during his tenure.”

In his three seasons leading the Amerks, McCutcheon compiled a record of 128-82-9. The club won back-to-back Western Conference titles, two appearances in the Calder Cup Finals and was a runner up for the AHL Coach of the Year Award in 1999 and 2000.

“I want to personally thank everyone involved in the many great seasons and moments that I have had with the Buffalo Sabres organization", Brian McCutcheon said. “It was a great experience working with Darcy, Lindy, James Patrick, Scott Arniel, Don Lever and all the players that I have spent time with over the years. It was a difficult decision, but I agree that at this point in my career, it is time to move on to something different. I'm looking forward to exploring different career options, including any offered by the Sabres organization.”